Jenna Hogg, aka @junglejen, is the founder of Free Spirit Equestrian Center & Rescue in Plant City, Florida, and an outspoken advocate for animals. Her Instagram account @junglejen is a personal favorite, because of both its beautiful images, primarily of primates and horses, and because of the way she educates and inspires people to help animals. Her positivity is contagious and she is a true hero for our animal friends.

Jenna always wanted to work with animals since she was a young girl. She gravitated towards them as a child, growing up in a family that was constantly rescuing and rehabilitating a variety of species. At the age of 10 she read Gorillas in the Mist by Dian Fossey, and her world was forever changed. Her dreams from that point on consisted of exploring jungles and saving animals.

At the age of 10 she read Gorillas in the Mist by Dian Fossey, and her world was forever changed

Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund is one of my favorite accounts to spread awareness for, @savinggorillas. One story in particular is a beautiful story, that inspires hope for a beautiful species on the brink of extinction. Mother gorilla Isaro recently had twins, a rare occurrence and great news for the dwindling population!

In 2011, she graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a BA in Intercultural Communication, as well as a BA in Biological Anthropology with a specialization in Primatology. After college, she continued her research on inter-species communication amongst captive orangutans for four years, where she studied their capacity for cognitive development through enrichment. She worked to teach them sign language, shapes, colors, iPad use, and various other activities. Throughout her work with the orangutans she also gained experience working with a variety of lesser apes, monkeys and lemurs.

Krismon, has a heartbreaking story. He was rescued after spending nearly 20 years in a tiny cage after growing so big that he could not even fit through the door. Imagining the condition of his psychological state filled me with such sadness and it made me incredibly happy to hear he is now in the care of SOCP, Orangutan Quarantine Centre in North Sumatra. Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Program has my highest respect for their tremendous efforts on saving the Sumatran Orangutans from extinction.

One of my frequent posts is an issue regarding New York Blood Center and their abandonment of 66 chimps, in Liberia, Africa. This story is a perfect example of people choosing to stand up and speak for those who have no voice. To learn more and get involved follow, @savenybcchimps or follow on Facebook: Abandoned Chimps

As a District Captain for the ASPCA, one of my main focus is lobbying on a piece of federal legislation known as the SAFE Act. The SAFE Act will prohibit the prohibit the slaughter of horses for human consumption in the US and the export for that purpose. If this bill is passed it will protect consumers from from exposure to toxic horsemeat. Read more: https://secure.aspca.org/action/us-horse-slaughter-safe-act

Her dream was always to have her very own animal rescue, and in March 2015, she and her mother opened Free Spirit Equestrian Center & Rescue. Their focus is on equines, but as they grow, they will open the rescue to non-human primates and other species. Currently they have 14 horses, six goats, two pigs, and three cats in their care, most of which have come to them through animal control services or been surrendered to them by their owners. The rescue continues to expand as they open programs to help children with disabilities, veterans, and those from all walks of life.

In March 2015, she and her mother opened Free Spirit Equestrian Center & Rescue

She is also well-known for her Instagram account, @junglejen, which she uses to reach out to people on important issues, hoping to inspire them to help make this world a better place. She believes that people want to help, they often just don’t know how. Her page is dedicated to showing people the numerous ways to get involved and be a part of saving our planet. She hopes to inspire everyone who visits her Instagram page and to let them know that it is not too late to heal our Earth.

Besides Dian Fossey, Jenna’s biggest inspiration has been Jane Goodall. What she admires most about Dr. Goodall is how she has made a difference. “Everything she has done has been through soft-spoken words as she inspires love, kindness, and hope. She never strays from her belief that individually, we can make a difference. That every single person has the power to change this world. She never lets her ego get in the way, and I do believe she is the perfect example that altruism does still exist,” Jenna says. Another one of her personal heroes is Leonardo DiCaprio. She has grown to truly respect him as a leader at the forefront of climate change and conservation. “He has been fortunate enough to have a higher standard of living, and he chooses to use that blessing to truly make a difference. I commend him for being a leader and inspiring so many people to help our planet.”

Jenna is extremely excited for the future and thankful for all the heroes who have inspired her to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves.

For more information on Free Spirit Rescue, visit their website and follow her on Instagram.